The collection documents the life and work of the flute player Alfred Lichtenstein, containing papers relating to his professional life, including recordings, programs, photographs, flyers, and clippings concerning his public performances, and also an extensive amount of music scores used by him. His personal life is reflected in personal correspondence, including letters exchanged with other family members and photographs as well as identification and immigration papers. There are some papers of his family members, including his wives, daughter, and father, as well as restitution correspondence

Alfred Aaron Lichtenstein was born in Königsberg, Prussia (now Kaliningrad, Russia), in 1901. He was the son of Siegfried and Fredericke (née Josephson) Lichtenstein and had a sister, Erna. As a boy he showed talent with the flute, and at the age of 16 began studying under Emil Prill, who then held the position of first flutist at the Berlin Opera. Further teachers included Emilio Puyans in Switzerland and Philippe Gaubert and Gabriel Pierné in Paris. Lichtenstein debuted on September 6, 1920 in Berlin. - Alfred Lichtenstein began touring Europe as a concert flutist in the early 1920s. In March 1921 he was invited by King Constantine I of Greece to perform at his son's wedding, for which Lichtenstein was given a golden flute studded with over two hundred diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. He became known thereafter as 'The Man with the Golden Flute' and was soon recognized as one of the leading flutists of Europe. His touring took him throughout Europe as well as Egypt. Compositions were written for him by well-known composers such as Eugene Goossens, Darius Milhaud, Arthur Honneger, and Alexander Jemnitz

In 1939 Alfred Lichtenstein was forced to leave Germany with his wife Gerda Lichtenstein (later known as Grace Lindsay) and their three-year-old daughter Sylvia. After briefly finding refuge in England, the family resettled in Buenos Aires, where Alfred Lichtenstein had a contract waiting. The family spent fourteen years in Argentina, with Lichtenstein primarily working in orchestras in theaters and giving occasional recitals and lessons. Alfred Lichtenstein was the only surviving member of his immediate family: his father died in Berlin in 1937 while his mother died in Theresienstadt in 1942. His sister Erna Stapf was presumed to have died near Zagreb in 1945. In 1954 the Lichtensteins were finally able to come to the United States and settled in New York City. During this time, Alfred Lichtenstein and his wife Gerda separated, and in 1968 Alfred Lichtenstein married Georgette Wegh

Once in New York, Lichtenstein was able to renew his musical career, even though he never achieved the fame he had enjoyed earlier in Europe. Although he primarily performed live, he also played for Paramount Films and ABC television, as well as on radio programs in Europe, Egypt, Argentina, and New York, and his music was included on several records. He performed in many locations in the New York area, including open-air concerts in city parks. In addition he was invited back to Berlin in 1975, and returned for a second tour of Germany two years later. - Alfred Lichtenstein died at his home in Floral Park in 1986

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